"Friends" Chandler's Cause of Death Revealed: Acute Effects of Ketamine

The cause of death for Matthew Perry, star of "Friends," has been disclosed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office autopsy report indicates he died from the "acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine," with contributing factors including "drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of dextropropoxyphene (used to treat opioid addiction)." His death was ruled accidental, with no signs of murder or violence.

Perry had previously undergone ketamine infusion therapy, reportedly due to his struggles with depression and anxiety. The toxicology report states, "Based on the high concentration of ketamine in his blood sample, the primary lethal effects were cardiovascular stimulation and respiratory depression." The report notes that his last ketamine infusion therapy was one and a half weeks before his death, but the ketamine in his body at the time of death did not originate from that treatment, as "ketamine has a half-life of 3-4 hours or shorter." The report emphasizes that ketamine is a well-established anesthetic used in human surgery and is also employed for recreational and illicit purposes.

The report also states that no alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, phencyclidine (PCP), or fentanyl was found in his body. Perry was discovered dead in his bathtub on October 28th by an assistant upon returning from an errand.